Cleaner town ahead with new initiative
2008-09-25
FINALLY, Wellingtonners will be able to join neighbouring towns in a drive towards a cleaner Drakenstein Valley, by recycling their household waste. Fritz Otto and TC Botha decided to take up the recycling cause in earnest, and bring the community together to literally “clean up their act”, by founding a local network called “OOG” (Omgewings Omgee Groep). For local greenies, this long-held dream was previously frustrated by the limited options available to them. With only two irregularly emptied, often squalid glass-disposal containers in central town - and nothing to cater for other inorganic refuse - enthusiastic recyclers were forced to load up their cars and drive to two established waste-processing outlets in Paarl. Although three local schools, Wellington Preparatory at Diemersfontein, Wamakersvallei Primary in the Bovlei”and Bridge House in Groot Drakenstein, have had an effective recycling programme in place for some time, it seems that little was done to inform the broader public of their activities. Otto and Botha run a small entrepreneurial business called Agri-Sense, promoting environmentally-friendly biological farming through the use of “effective microbes”, more commonly known as “pro-biotics”. These friendly microbes control the release of pathogens (harmful gases resulting from mismanaged organic waste) into the atmosphere. Composting of organic household refuse is an essential component of effective waste- management, and, according to Otto, “becoming involved in all aspects of recycling was simply a logical progression.” Although still in its infancy, the OOG initiative aims to shift local perceptions towards positive environmental change, and facilitate a sustainable urban recycling system, with several beneficial spin-offs. Recently, Otto and a small group of like- minded individuals gathered to address various practical aspects related to implementing the project. At the meeting, key players from Enviro Paper & Pulp Suppliers (also trading as Mr Paper) pledged their support to the programme, undertaking to transport household waste to their Paarl transfer station for further processing - free of charge - provided items are sorted into specific categories before collection by them. “If you’ve got no job and kids to feed, how many options are open to you, except that of resorting to crime?” said one attendee. “Our communities must stand up and help each other. We can’t solve the world’s problems, but we can start by sorting out what happens in our own backyards!” Apart from the benefit of a cleaner environment, the OOG recycling project will help to empower indigent locals by providing employment. Although OOG is currently a not-for-profit organisation, participants will be able to earn a small, but viable daily income by sorting and monitoring household waste at various designated drop-off points to be established soon. OOG is hoping to be able to provide residents with centrally-situated disposal units, equipped to deal with the full spectrum of inorganic household waste, by monthend. “Wellingtonners can start going for it,” says Otto. “We’ll keep people posted as to where and when they can deposit their refuse.” Items which can be recycled include soft plastic (bags of all types, plus cling-wrap), plain, brown cardboard boxes and “common mix” (a typical household assortment of light, printed cardboard and paper containers, toilet rolls, calendars, pamphlets, envelopes, telephone directories etc), office paper and documents, magazines and newspapers, bottles and glass vessels of all colours, metal (such as beverage cans and well-rinsed food tins, as well as hard plastic, from piping, to crates, cool-drink bottles and household cleanser containers). Believing that “charity towards the planet begins at home”, OOG would like to encourage other local schools to follow the excellent examples already set in the area, and will be inviting them to enter an official “Interschools Recycling Challenge”. In the interim, OOG urgently requires donations in the form of suitable containers (from “grain bags” to large drums), and is investigating the possibility of collaborating with Lukhanyo crafters to manufacture containers from the bark of alien vegetation. The group welcomes the input and support of anyone who would like to help achieve its vision. Those interested in “walking the walk” towards a clean, less mean Wellington can contact Fritz Otto at 082-805-8420, or fritz@agrisense.co.za or TC Botha at 082972-2220 or tcbotha@agrisense.co.za for more information.
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